Page 13

Chapter thirteen

Beck

The VIP Kid’s Charity Event is buzzing with energy, and I’m doing my best not to let my nerves get the best of me.

Jake’s practically bouncing on his toes beside me, eyes wide as he takes in the massive indoor facility. Tables lined with sports memorabilia for auction, a photo booth decked out with Ice Hawks gear, and a temporary skating rink where the kids are already zipping around.

“This is awesome!” Jake’s grin is infectious, and it’s impossible not to smile back.

“I told you,” I say, hugging him gently. “Wait till you meet some of the other players.”

Abby’s standing a few steps away, looking as radiant as ever in a simple blouse and jeans that somehow make her look effortlessly beautiful. But there’s a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. She’s here, but…

Is her heart in it?

Quinn jumps in beside her, scanning the crowd with a mix of curiosity and mild disinterest. “Okay, where’s the food? I didn’t come here to starve.”

I chuckle, “Over by the auction table.” And Abby adds: “But don’t bid on anything while you’re there. I don’t need you walking out with a signed jersey that costs more than my car.”

“Ha!” Quinn smirks. “If it’s Wes Archer’s jersey, I might make an exception.”

I blink. Wait… what?

As if summoned by her words, Wes strolls in from the far side of the room, effortlessly charming in a casual button-down and jeans, flashing that easygoing grin that drives women crazy.

Oh, boy.

“Speak of the devil,” I mutter under my breath, watching Quinn’s eyes do a quick once-over.

Her expression goes from indifferent to mildly intrigued in point one second flat.

“Wes Archer?” she murmurs, not nearly as casual as she’s trying to sound.

“Yep.” I smirk, fully aware of what’s about to happen.

And I’m not wrong.

“Hey, Hayes.” Wes claps me on the back before his eyes drift toward Quinn. He gives her a reciprocal once-over, his grin widening. “And who’s this?”

Quinn crosses her arms, her expression cool but her eyes giving her away. “Quinn. Abby’s sister.”

Wes’s grin turns downright dangerous. “Ah, so you’re the famous Quinn I’ve heard so much about.”

I’m pretty sure Quinn just forgot how to breathe, but she looks cool as a cucumber

“Famous?” She raises a brow, pretending she’s not affected, but her voice betrays her.

“Beck never shuts up about you,” Wes says, his tone playful but smooth. “Although, I didn’t expect you to be… well…”

Quinn narrows her eyes. “Well, what?”

“So way out of his league.”

Quinn blinks, and for a split second, I see it—the spark.

“You’re awfully confident for someone who just met me,” she quips, but her lips are tugging into a reluctant smile.

“Confidence is one of my better qualities.” Wes winks, and I swear I can almost hear the sizzle in the air.

I clear my throat, watching this play out with mild amusement. I’m one hundred percent going to give Wes hell for this later.

“Okay, lovebirds,” I mutter. “Maybe save the flirting for after the charity event?”

Quinn’s cheeks flush, but Wes? He just looks way too pleased with himself.

The event is in full swing, and Jake’s thriving. He’s tried everything—face painting, shooting pucks, and even a quick meet-and-greet with some of the other Ice Hawks players. His laughter echoes through the space, and I feel a warmth settle in my chest.

But I’m not out of the woods yet. The real chaos starts when Wes decides to crank things up a notch.

“Beck.” Wes sidles up to me while Jake is practicing slapshots. His grin is way too mischievous for my liking.

“What now?” I ask warily.

“Remember that pie-throwing station the kids set up for charity?”

Oh no .

“Wes…”

“I may or may not have convinced Griffin that you volunteered.”

My eyes widen. “You did what?”

Wes’s grin stretches wider. “Relax. It’s for the kids. And hey, it’s only whipped cream.”

I groan, but before I can argue, Griffin Shaw—a.k.a. the team’s prank king—grins from across the room, waving a can of whipped cream like a weapon.

“Hayes!” Griff calls out, his voice booming over the noise. “Ready to take one for the team?”

A crowd starts gathering—kids, parents, and a suspiciously gleeful Wes included. Jake’s face lights up, and even Abby looks amused. Her guard is slipping just enough for her to let out a soft laugh.

“Come on, Beck,” Wes taunts, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. “Unless you’re scared…”

“Scared?” I snort, shaking my head as I walk toward the pie station. “Not a chance.”

But I’m already bracing myself.

Two minutes later, I’m wiping whipped cream off my face as Jake howls with laughter, clutching his sides.

“Mom! Did you see that?” Jake’s eyes are practically sparkling. “Beck got creamed!”

“Literally.” Abby’s laughing too, her eyes shining as she watches me attempt to regain my dignity.

“Okay, okay.” I hold up my hands, chuckling despite myself. “I think that’s enough fun at my expense.”

“Are you sure?” Wes calls out from the sidelines, his grin absolutely smug. You had quite a few super fans watching that round and begging for a repeat. I’m literally fighting them off.

“I owe you for this,” I mutter under my breath, giving him a look that promises payback.

But when I glance at Abby again, her smile is softer now. And maybe… just maybe… she’s letting her walls down.

She’s huddled around the ice cream booth with her sister Quinn and, who’s that? I squint to see the third one in the group. Darned if it isn’t Wes’s little sister Jane Archer. She’s a librarian at the public library here in Elmwood.

I rarely see her around, probably for two reasons. I know she’s shy, or maybe she just holds a gentle demeanor. But the more likely reason is that her older brother Wes keeps a notoriously strong arm on her and basically scares away any guys. Their parents are gone, and he feels a real responsibility to care for her. So far, she’s accepted it all, but when she clicks with the right guy, I figure any interference by big bro will be for naught.

As the evening rolls on, I can’t help but notice how natural it feels to have Abby and Jake here. Jake’s chatting with some of the other kids, proudly telling them how I’m teaching him to skate. My heart swells watching him—this kid is pure sunshine, and I’m already too far gone when it comes to him.

But my attention keeps drifting back to Abby. She’s smiling, but there’s a distance in her eyes. She has a guardedness that hasn’t quite faded, no matter how much time we’ve spent together.

Is she still scared?

I can’t blame her. After everything she’s been through, losing her husband so suddenly when Jake was just a toddler. I know trust doesn’t come easy. But I can’t deny that the closer we get, the more I feel like I’m tiptoeing around her heart.

And the worst part?

I’m not sure how much longer I can keep doing that without knowing if I’m just setting myself up to fall… hard.

From across the room, I hear Jake. “Beck! Look!”

His voice snaps me out of my thoughts. He’s standing near the photo booth, holding up a hockey puck that’s been autographed by almost every player on the team.

“That’s awesome, buddy.” I kneel beside him. “Where’d you get that?”

“Griffin gave it to me, and he signed it, too!” Jake beams. “He said I should keep practicing and maybe one day I’ll be out there with you guys. Then a whole bunch of the team took turns autographing it. Isn’t that super?”

My chest tightens. Jake’s hope, his innocence … it’s everything I never realized I was missing.

“You keep practicing, and I’ll make sure of it,” I say, my voice softer than I intend.

Jake’s grin lights up his entire face. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

And just like that, I’m a total goner.

Later in the day, while Jake’s busy testing his slapshot skills at one of the activity stations, I spot Wes leaning against the bar, a knowing grin on his face.

“Don’t.” I point at him as I approach.

“Don’t what?” Wes’s eyes sparkle with amusement. “Point out the fact that you’ve got it bad for Abby? Because buddy… it’s written all over your face.”

I groan, rubbing the back of my neck. “Is it that obvious?”

“Painfully.” Wes smirks. “And let me guess… she’s still holding back?”

I sigh, my gaze drifting to where Abby’s talking to one of the event coordinators, her smile warm but her posture guarded.

“Yeah.” My voice is quieter now. “I don’t know if I’m pushing too hard or if I’m not pushing enough. I don’t want to scare her away, but…”

“But you’re falling for her.”

I meet Wes’s gaze, and for once, he’s not joking.

“Hard,” I admit softly.

Wes nods, his grin fading into something more serious. “Beck… she’s been through a lot. Give her space. Let her come to you when she’s ready.”

I exhale slowly. “And if she never is?”

“Then at least you’ll know you gave it everything.”

His words hit harder than I expect. And I know he’s right.

But waiting ?

That’s the hardest part.

As the event winds down, I find myself standing by the rink, watching Jake skate with the other kids. He’s fearless, laughing as he races around, and I can’t help but wonder…

What if this is what I’m supposed to be a part of?

But then I glance at Abby, and I sense a moment of clarity coming over me.

She’s watching Jake too, her expression soft. I wonder if her heart is still wrapped up in layers that I haven’t been able to fully unravel.

Am I doing the right thing by giving her space? Or am I just delaying the inevitable?

The truth hits me harder than a slapshot to the chest. I need to know where I stand with Abby. Before I fall any deeper.

As Jake skates toward me, his grin wide and full of joy, I make a silent promise to myself.

I won’t keep holding back.

After tonight, I’m going to talk to Abby.

I need to know if there’s a real chance for us… Or if I’m just risking my heart for something that’s never going to happen.

Because I can’t keep falling…

If she’s not willing to catch me.